Scugog to dip into Greenbank airport funds in 2014

Township plans to spend $362,500 from fill revenue reserves

Greenbank Airport update

Celia Klemenz / Metroland

GREENBANK -- Dave Staniscia, a Greenbank Airways site supervisor, left, worked with Ed Jones, of DLS Group, an environmental consultant and contractor, as they performed a test for metals and chemicals of the soil being trucked to the Greenbank site. June 26, 2013

SCUGOG -- Scugog has decided to dip into the funds it receives from the expansion work at the Greenbank airport in order to carry out projects across the community.

While the funds were untouched when Scugog councillors got their first glimpse at the proposed 2014 budget on Jan. 13, a revised version of the financial plan viewed by the Township’s elected leaders on Jan. 27 saw $362,500 earmarked for various expenses.

The Township receives a fee for every truck that delivers fill to the Regional Road 47 airbase. As of Jan. 1, after expenses, Scugog had $268,764 in its coffers. The Municipality conservatively estimates it will receive another $250,000 in 2014.

Under the proposed budget, Scugog plans to spend $100,000 on pre-engineering work for Crandell Street and set aside another $100,000 for its environmental and legal reserves. The Township also plans to spend $50,000 on sidewalk repairs and use $75,000 to switch some of its streetlights to LED lights. Scugog also plans to contribute $37,500 to the Port Perry Hospital Foundation for its proposed renovations at the Paxton Street health-care facility.

This is not the Greenbank account, it’s the fill account. Scugog Mayor Chuck Mercier

After those costs, plus expenses to administer the airport project, the Township estimates it will have about $116,000 left over in the account at the end of the year.

During discussions on Monday, however, Ward 1 Councillor Larry Corrigan hinted that perhaps more of the money from the Fill Revenue Reserve Fund should be spent on the western side of Scugog, where residents have to put up with almost-daily truck traffic at the airport.

“What’s the criteria staff used for bringing forward Crandell Street instead of Ashburn Road and other roads in the hamlet of Greenbank?” asked the Ward 1 councillor.

Scugog Mayor Chuck Mercier stressed in his response that geography plays no role in how the money is spent.

“We have hundreds of roads that could use the money,” he replied. “This is not the Greenbank account, it’s the fill account.”

Chris Hall is a reporter covering Scugog Township for Metroland Media Group’s Durham Region Division. He can be reached at
CHall@durhamregion.com
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